ECD HOD
Are you eager to drive significant change in the educational and holistic well-being of children from under-resourced communities in South Africa?
We prepare our graduates to achieve upward economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship and become empowered to identify and realise their goals, dreams, and human potential by providing full scholarships at no cost to students from underprivileged communities. Our commitment extends over a 19-year period, encompassing a comprehensive, high-quality educational experience that adheres to national standards.
Christel House has established a global network of fourteen schools providing education from Grade RR to 12. Among these, our Cape Town centre, launched in 2002, stands as the first of potentially more Christel Houses to be established in Africa. This pioneer institution currently impacts twenty local communities by providing an all-encompassing 19-year educational journey. Our focus is on nurturing strong ethical values and providing a plethora of supportive services, which include professional health care, balanced meals, psychosocial counseling, and family assistance.
About the position: The incumbent will provide transformational instructional leadership for ECD and Grade R, ensuring a safe, inclusive and developmentally appropriate programme that strengthens English, early literacy, numeracy, school readiness and learning through play while building a high-performing, well-supported teaching team.
The candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
Key Duties & Responsibilities
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Lead CAPS-aligned ECD/Grade R curriculum planning, implementation, moderation and quality assurance.
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Promote purposeful play as the foundation of learning.
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Lead early English development: oral language, vocabulary, phonological awareness, Jolly Phonics, reading, writing and comprehension.
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Coach and mentor teachers through observations, feedback, modelling and professional development.
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Use assessment and school-readiness data to identify gaps and plan interventions.
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Manage phase meetings, timetables, resources, classroom organisation and staff deployment.
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Build a culture of high expectations, accountability, teamwork, wellbeing and continuous improvement.
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Support inclusive, trauma-aware and developmentally appropriate teaching, including safeguarding.
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Develop strong parent/caregiver partnerships to support learning at home.
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Maintain professional records and report on learner progress, curriculum quality, staff development and phase priorities.
Minimum Requirements
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Recognised Foundation Phase/ECD teaching qualification, preferably BEd Foundation Phase; minimum NQF Level 6.
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Full SACE registration is mandatory.
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At least 5 years’ teaching experience in ECD, Grade R or Foundation Phase, especially ages 4–6.
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At least 2 years’ leadership experience as HOD, Phase/Grade Head, curriculum lead or equivalent.
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Jolly Phonics training and demonstrated synthetic phonics competence.
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Strong knowledge of CAPS Grade R, play-based learning, literacy, numeracy, assessment and differentiation.
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Proven teacher-coaching, leadership, change-management and performance-management skills.
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Excellent English communication, parent engagement and report-writing skills.
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Experience working in multilingual and diverse communities.
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Strong child-safeguarding knowledge and required vetting/clearances.
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Current First Aid certification or willingness to obtain it.
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Good digital literacy for planning, communication, assessment and administration.
Application Process:
Closing Date for Applications is 30th October 2026
Please send your CV, a cover letter and evidence of your credentials to The Principal at recruit@sa.christelhouse.org.
Ensure the subject line reads “ECD HOD”.
Christel House champions equality and diversity. Appointment rights are reserved.
ISASA